(Word Count 1548, x2 Draft Media)
It’s me again! After a brief familial siesta, I’m back to bring you the inside news on all the latest draft eligible players and their stories. On top of that, we’re here to hopefully make some good friends.
With the Draft Combine, I got to meet plenty of talented players and prospects, as they showed their training mettle in front of hundreds of scouts, GM’s, and executives. I tried my hardest to keep up with them at their respective paces. Most of the time, I wasn’t as successful.
My first meeting was with Samat Beibitzhanov, one of the standout goalies in this year’s class. Looking to work on his hand speed, he was tasked with a simulation game that times a player’s reaction time and reach potential. I got to speak with him after.
E: In the world of goalies and the way they play in today's game, what sets you apart from the competition?
SB: I have quick reflexes and I am more well rounded goalie than others. I train hard every day for draft to bring money to family in Russia and Kazakhstan, and I am wiling to do anything on ice for team. Some people say I am crazy, they are right.
E: You spent time with the development coaches in St. Louis to work on some things. How have they helped you become the goalie you are today?
SB: I do not feel Americans always have right key on Russian players. I more trust coach of old team in Novosibirsk Azamat Bagatov who help develop my skillset more as young kid. At end of day coaching only do so much and it’s up to playing game to learn. It was nice playing like American players but I feel like I learn best from people I know. Also I hear St. Louis is hot in Summer and that does not sound like fun. Then again money is money.
E: You've been described as a modern-day Artom Zhumbayev, the Russian leader in SHL Goalie Wins. How do you deal with the immense amount of pressure having that kind of accolade can put on you?
SB: We definitely share a lot in common, both of us are from Kazakhstan though I move to Russia at early age, though I am much smaller than him. I am flattered by people who make comparisons, but I do not let what others say about me, good or bad affect how I feel on ice. If I let media get to me I have many more problems on ice so I get in zone before games to block out all outside opinions and feelings from play. Part of reason why I take pregame routine so seriously is it helps me to, uhhh how do you say, clean brain for game time?
Thanks to @Duff101, owed $496k for interview, drinks
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Conveniently for me, Oleg Burov came next. The big, burly goaltender was viewed as a top-tier SHL project by several draft boards leading up to the combine. He performed well at the reaction simulation, but he wanted to prove his mettle at the high jump, performing in the top-5 of his class. I caught up with him after working up a big sweat.
E: As a high-tier talent according to several draft boards, how are you dealing or dodging some of the hype heading your way?
OIB: I ignore it mostly. Hype is hype, but stopping pucks will bring fame and glory to the Motherland.
E: As a kid, you went to a special camp hosted in Russia by the Hamilton Steelhawks, and you said in a previous interview that you are a better player because of it. What did you learn at that camp that really stuck with you?
OIB: I guess really to watch the game and pay attention to what's happening in front of me.
E: Scouting reports compare your reach and puck-playing ability to that of Jakub Aittokallio, who is tied for 2nd all time in Goalie assists in the SHL. Do you think that with the playing time you hope to get, you can match those totals?
OIB: Maybe, we'll see. I like to help my team as much as i can by staying active and playing pucks when i can. But goalie assists are a rarity and i dont depend on them to measure my worth as a goalie.
Thank you @Sleepy
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I found Simothy Drunkebird next, a colorful, diminutive center with hands of stone and the strength of a horse, I found him at the deadlifts, showing off his hidden Herculean feats. After letting him relax his muscles, we had a good chat.
E: As one of the smaller players in the hockey world today, how do you feel like you compensate for something so many people consider a setback?
SD: I think that I have the abilities to compensate for my smaller size. My main upside is my defensive play, it can be shown with my stats during the last bit of the season with the Colorado Raptors Development Program invitational.
E: You got a big assist in your play from your coach, who was also an SHL player in Jakob Novak. How has he helped you become the player you are today?
SD: He taught me how hard it can be up there in the big league and not to quit if it gets hard
E: You've been described as a cold guy in the locker room and on the ice, is there any time when you like to open up?
SD: Language barrier was hard to start being from Czechia, hopefully people understand that and it doesn’t affect the team
Thank you @Esso.
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Velveteen Dream was gaining attention at the vertical jump, lodging the 3rd highest recorded jump at 32.4”. A healthy 6-foot-4 playmaker with the same jump in his dekes as his hits, Dream was a friendly face in a sea of determination and cold stairs, and it was a dream (pun intended) to find time to interview him.
E: You've been pegged as one of the high-risers of this draft class, what do you hope to contribute to whatever team you end up in?
VD: Well, The Dream is definitely going to add a ton of star power to whichever team drafts him. If I'm not one of the top picks in the draft, then every team who passes on me will have definitely made a mistake and I'll prove them wrong when I win everything there is to win. I'll be the best pass-first forward on whichever team I'm on and I will lead any team to victory.
E: You’ve had to work on some of your faceoffs as of late, as you’ve said it’s been one of your major struggles. How are you improving?
VD: The Dream can improve his faceoffs whenever it's needed but until I know for sure I'll be playing center for a team I'm focusing on my playmaking and defensive ability to be the best there is. If someone wishes to call upon the Dream to do faceoffs then I'll be the best at that too.
E: You refer to yourself in the third-person, is this an aesthetic choice or a personal choice?
VD: The Dream is the ultimate champion and it's most important that everyone hears and says my name as much as possible since they will be hearing and saying it plenty in the future when it comes to awards and cups.
Thank you @TheDangaZone
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My next two guests insisted that they be together for most of the combine. Borys and Ryszard Franciszek, the two standout brothers of the incredible Polish hockey family, came to represent the other 5 brothers who were not invited. Ryszard, who went first, is a groomed, skilled, large lad with the grace of a playmaker and the boardplay of a goon. The looming Pole had a few minutes to sit down with me and chat.
E: Though you aren't the biggest brother of the group, you are the oldest. What keeps Borys from being the leader of you seven?
RF: No it doesn’t. Borys has earned as much respect from everyone of our siblings as I have. Being the oldest doesn’t make you the wisest. I have just been fortunate to mature in a way to gain the respect of opponents and of my brothers. I think if anyone you could look up to it’s mostly him but they look up to me as well. Being a “leader” isn’t everything it’s made out to be it is who will pick the players up when they are down. Me and Borys both have learned that skill when we were kids and I feel like me and him can work well as co-leaders if you even want to call me a leader of the team.
E: Borys, you’ve been described as “heartless” by your opponents, and “stoic” by your colleagues. What do you have to say about your cold, emotionless play on the ice?
B: I play the way I play. It is just the way it is. The people I hurt are just people in the way of my brothers or myself. It is their fault they want to play against me.
eddiesnothere
